Named for mid 20th-century king Norodom
Sihanouk, Cambodia’s coastal town of Sihanoukville is perched on the end of a
scenic elevated peninsula. It’s almost uninterrupted stretch of sandy shores
and turquoise waters lend it one of the nation’s most picturesque settings.
This sleepy city was developed after the French departed, so its streets are
lined with less fanciful examples of New Khmer architecture and traveled by
modern-day tuk-tuks, carriages pulled by motorcycle.
The city’s many beaches and offshore islands
draw locals and visitors alike, making this one of Cambodia’s prime seaside
resorts. One of its major cultural sites, the temple of Wat Leu, or “Upper
Pagoda,” rests on a hill with sweeping views of Sihanoukville Bay.
There are 200,000 people
living in the province that we are in today. In all of Cambodia the population
is 53 million. And, there are 4,000 pagodas.
Cambodia is a kingdom, with a
king; however, the king has no political power. Cambodia has a very good
relationship with China. Here, as in many of the countries that we have
visited, they have a lot of Chinese investors. China is taking over the world
with their soft diplomacy where they go in and invest in the infrastructure of
the country.
We took the included tour today that took us to
some of the more interesting spots in Sihanoukville. Our first stop was into
the hills to Wat Krom. Within, you can admire its vivid murals and brightly
colored sculptures depicting the Buddha.
You will also see a gold snake on the temple,
which symbolizes good luck. These are usually displayed on the ground at the
entrance. The multiple heads on the snake represent the different classes of
the people. On the top of the temple is a dragon with is the symbol of god.
This pagoda is a mixture of Taoism, Brahmanism and Buddhism. The Buddha
represents the Buddhism and the Snake the Brahmanism. Buddha was born 544 years before Christ.
In a pagoda, which encompasses many buildings,
there is only one temple. In this complex, there is also a dining hall and
sleeping quarters for the monks. They are now building what appears to be a
school on the grounds.
When they die they are cremated and ashes from each part of the body, to make a whole, are put in a container and then put in a stupa, which is usually located near a pagoda and temple.
Our next stop was to Independence Beach, where
Jacqueline Kennedy, came in 1967 during her Cambodia tour. This beach was very
clean, unlike most of what we saw everywhere else here. It is public beach that
connects to a private beach owned by the Independence Hotel. There is a nice
long pier out over the water. I was able to get some sand.
We were now off to Sihanoukville’s market to
absorb some local color. The stalls were overflowing with fruits, vegetables
and countless other items that provide a glimpse of daily life here. Very similar
to the other markets that we have visited.
Our last stop took us on a journey along the
coast to the tiny fishing village of Tumnop Rolok, where the pace of life is
slow and fishermen prepare the day’s catch for market. It was really authentic,
and the aroma was also authentic. There was one boat getting ready to go out,
and you will see the offering on the front to give them luck with their catch.
There were a group of small children there with
the biggest smiles and so happy. We had a bunch of chocolate in the room, I
wish I had brought it for them.
You will see a big black thing with a big piece
of ice going up it. It is their version of a ice crusher. The one going up
pushes the one already up there into the crusher.
As we drove around the area we had some nice
shots of everyday life.
And there is there is the ever-present picture
of the ship from the fishing village.
Tomorrow after lunch we take off for Bangkok
and a stay in Bangkok overnight. Our hotel is near an Asian Night Market and
two shopping malls. The day after we return from Bangkok we are off to ride an
elephant.
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